Update:

Life is good, because God is good. A lot has happening in my life, family and church since my last posting. My daughter Brooke was married to a wonderful young man (Carey). My son Weston enlisted in the US Army and now has 3 daughters (Amariah, Abigail & Ashtyn). He is currently serving overseas. Growing older is not all it's cracked up to be, but I'm SO blessed that God has given me a wonderful woman to walk thru life together. She is my best friend. Tonya and I have celebrated 34 years of marriage in 2013. Our kids & grandkids live away from us and at times that is really hard.

My parents are 84 and over the past few years, their health has been under attack. Dad has had intestinal surgery, heart valve replacement & repair then diagnosed with 3 different cancers. He has had chemo treatment and is doing really good! Mom also has had shoulder surgery which found cancer in her bone. She also has chemo and radiation treatments. Both are very active, able to drive to MV for church and over activities.

Whatever life is throwing at you today, know that God is for you and not against you. Stand strong in the Lord, pray & trust the Lord and He will bring to into His provision. These are the last days, Jesus is getting ready to come. Don't lose heart - you're going to make it - with your hand in Daddy's (Father God) hand.

Enjoy the Journey!!!!

Today we need to check our love quotient...

When you don't fall in love you can't fall out of love.

Love that lasts, is love that is chosen. Love may begin with a feeling but it is expressed through our choice to take action. Love that never fails is love that never stops trying. If you don't fall in you can't fall out. When you choose to go there in love, that is a human. When you choose to stay there in love, that is divine. Love is... What is your Love is....? Until you decide what Love is...to you, you will always be looking for someone to make you feel what Love is.... Your Love is....will determine not only how you give love, but how you receive love. Once you know what your Love is....is, you can love yourself that way and in turn love others.

Dealing with unhealed wounds...

Did you know that in the OT, a priest could not serve in God's house if he had a scab? Why? Because when you have a scab, you're not up to par. You can't get close to others in case they bump into you and knock the protective cover off of it. You're not at your best. You're afraid to talk to others about your scab, in case people reject you, so you wear a mask, becoming insecure. Worse of all, you're so busy taking care of others that you don't think you've time to stop and take care of yourself. The Bible says in Luke 4:23, "...Physician, heal yourself...".

Does this mean that people with "issues" can't work for God? No, just the opposite. It's the broken, who become masters at mending. But first you must take the time to be healed. Jesus said that when blind lead the blind they both fall into a ditch. It's hard to talk about victory to others when you yourself are living in defeat. It's hard to bring emotional healing to others when you're still battling the unresolved issues of your past. When you are still bleeding, you can't treat people's problems as if you have already worked through your own.

Is it wrong to have a wounded heart? No, but it's wrong not to deal with it. So spend some time today with the God and let Him make you whole so that He can use you to minister more effectively to others!

BLESSINGS!
MT

Encourage others and change their worlds...

Everyone needs encouragement. And everyone who receives encouragement is changed by it. Mark Twain said, 'One compliment can keep me going for a whole month'. Encouragement's impact can be profound on our lives:

1. A word of encouragement from a teacher can change his/her life.
2. A word of encouragement from a spouse can save a marriage.
3. A word of encouragement from a leader can inspire a person to reach their potential.

Zig Ziglar says, 'You never know when a moment and a few words can have an impact on a life'. To encourage others is to help them gain courage they might not otherwise possess - courage to face the day, to do what's right, to take risks, to make a difference! With that kind of courage, people can impact their world for Jesus.

1. If you're a parent, you have a responsibility to encourage your family.
2. If you're a leader, the effectiveness of your team increases in proportion to the encouragement you give the people you lead.
3. As a friend, you have the privilege of sharing encouraging words to help your friend persevere through the hard times.

Never forget: Encouragement changes everything! Create an environment where people can become their best!!

BLESSINGS!
MT

HAHAHAHA

Are you laughing... even when circumstances don't always seem funny? Laughter is God's joy flowing through you. It's so easy to lose joy in these days that we are living, there are so many pressures. Many times we plow through life so intensely that we don't even realize something is missing. With all the demands on us it is easy to lose focus. Maintaining a close relationship with God will release joy and laughter in our lives, for "in His presence is fullness of joy" Psalm 16:11.

The spirit of happiness will enable us to overcome the pressures and trials of life. Having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ brings a right perspective and joy. Joy tears down barriers, allowing laughter to freely flow. Learn to laugh, and you'll last and last and last.

BE BLESSED!!
MT

God is Good!!!

Paul said in Romans 14:5, "...for the Lord is present in the company of the righteous". What a great word from the Lord. One of the words we often use to describe the Lord is that He is 'omni-present' which means 'everywhere present'. He is present everywhere at the same all over, with you and with me, in Heaven and on earth, in victories and in battles... Think about that for a moment - selah - (sit quietly and think about it) - HALLELUJAH!

No matter where we may be or what we may be going through, the Lord is present in the company of the righteous. Stand on that today, believe Him for anything and everything, walk it out in your faith throughout your day, then watch the hand of the Lord at work in your life.

God loves you and has a great plan all ready for you right now, today is "The day that the Lord has made, I [we] shall rejoice and be glad in it".


BLESSINGS!
MT

Marriage...

Last night the news came down that Jon and Kate Gosselin are divorcing. That's the couple from the TLC reality show "Jon & Kate Plus Eight". I must say that I've never seen the show, but I know it had a lot of fans. I do not want to make judgments on the couple, but I pray that God will help them to fine Him and be reconciled together. However, I would like to say a few things about marriage and couples staying together...

You regular readers of my blog know that I frequently make mention about my marriage and what my wife Tonya means to me. I would say that after 30+ years of marriage that there are a lot of things that we have learned about marriage, marriage is a life-long relationship of a man and a woman in Holy marriage. In order for success in marriage Jesus must be the Lord of that relationship. If He is not, then you're heading for trouble.

I know that we are living in times where famous people's lives & marriages are visible to the world. Because of that, there is constant media and scrutiny on their lives. However, let's take divorce out of the vocabulary and become more loving, understanding, and considerate of each other. Let's start investing in our marriage like we invest in so many other things we value in life. That way, we'll get a return that will last a lifetime. JESUS LOVES YOU... YES HE DOES!


BLESSINGS!
MT